Collapsible container



- Nov. 20, 1962 c. K. DUNLAP, JR., EIYVAL 3,

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1960 .IA VIIIIIIINVENTORS. CHARLEs K. buNLAP, J2,

LELAND W. Guaso J2. and

JAMES G. MQGEE, boNALb b. SEBBEEEY.

Z fl

@TTORNEY Nov. 20, 1962 c. K. DUNLAP, JR., r-rrm. 3,064,870

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 c. K. DUNLAP,JR., EI'AL 3,064,870

Nov. 20, 1962 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 7, 1960INVENTORS:

C HAELES K. buNLAP, J2,

LELANBW. GIBSON,

Jae/7d DONALD DflSEDBERQY. BY WW M a'AMEs G. MQGEE,

ATTORNEY tire f it

This invention relates to collapsible containers and more particularlyto a collapsible container assembled from a pair of semi-circularhalf-sections each of which are formed from a folded paper tube.

In the shipping and storing of empty containers, particularly containersof relatively large size, unless some provision is made for collapsingor knocking down these containers, the unoccupied container interiorrepresents a significant waste of space. The storing of assembled orsetup containers requires a relatively large space to store only a fewcontainers and the shipping cost of empty setup containers would beprohibitive due to the small number of containers which could beaccommodated within conventional transportation units. Furthermore,large size assembled containers are diflicult to handle because of theirawkward size and weight.

In present day practice, containers of relatively large size, such asbarrels, tobacco hogsheads, and the like, are arranged to be knockeddown or collapsed in various ways for maximum utilization of shippingand storage space. By way of example, one type of present day containeris formed of wooden strips or staves which are held in an assembledrelationship by means of circular metal bands or the like. This type ofcontainer is heavy, expensive and difficult to assemble and disassemble.

Another type of large container frequently used is made of flexible orfoldable paperboard and the like to permit folding when empty. To thisend, the paperboard body of such containers is frequently scored forease of folding. However, when flexible material such as paperboard,either scored or unscored is utilized for such con tainers, the wallstrength required for such containers is somewhat less than that desiredand these containers are easily damaged so that they must often bediscarded after a single use. For instance, tobacco hogsheadsconstructed from flexible or foldable paperboard must not only withstandthe forces produced during ramming of the tobacco into the hogshead butalso the strain on the loaded hogshead imposed by the weight of tobaccocontained therein during handling including dropping and the like.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a newand novel collapsible container formed of paperboard or similar fibrousmaterial which is extremely simple in construction and which is of suchstrength as to be capable of withstanding severe strain without damagesuch as occurs during rugged handling, high internal pressures, droppingwhile loaded, and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel tobaccohogshead which is constructed of a minimum of inexpensive parts, whichis capable of repeated reuse, and which may be readily knocked down andset up by relatively unskilled operators.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and noveltobacco hogshead having a tubular body of high strength which is formedfrom a pair of complementary folded paper tubes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novelcollapsible container suitable for use as a tobacco hogshead whichutilizes a pair of semi-circular complementary half-sections which maybe readily nested for shipment, storage and the like, and which are constructed so as to provide an accurate fit when assembled into a tubularform.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and novelconnecting means for the interfitting component parts of a collapsiblecontainer suitable for use as a tobacco hogshead which not only adds 'tothe strength of the container but permits it to be easily opened forinspection of the container contents.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novelcollapsible container suitable for use as a tobacco hogshead and formedof paperboard or other fibrous material having novel restraining meansfor dimensionally stabilizing the component paperboard parts so as toprovide an accurate fit when the parts are assembled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

The objects stated above and other related objects in this invention areaccomplished by providing a tubular body which is formed from a pair ofsemi-circular complementary half-sections. Each of these half-sectionsis formed by folding or collapsing a paper tube, preferably a spirallywound paper tube, so that the paper tube is doubled upon itself intosemi-circular cross-sectional shape. Novel connecting means are providedfor interconnecting the opposed longitudinally extending side edges of apair of these half-sections to form the container tubular body which iscircular in cross section. In one form of the invention, restrainingmeans are provided along each of the side edges of the half-sections toprevent dimensional changes in the side edge which would create animproper fit. A closure disc or head is positioned in one end of thistubular body to permit filling and the container may be closed with asimilar head in the other end of the tubular body.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and method ofoperation may be best understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a paper tube of the type employed inthe container of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a pair of the paper tubes of FIGURE 1each of which has been folded for use as half-sections in the containerof the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the container of the invention formedfrom the half-sections of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 44of FIGURE 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the container ofFIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line6-6 of FIGURE 5 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another modification of the containerof the invention showing the container in a partially assembledcondition;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIGURE7 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional View of the container of FIGURE 7slightly modified and illustrated in an assembled condition;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the container of FIG- URE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the containerof FIGURE 9 illustrating a novel end closure securing means.

For the purposes of illustration, the present invention is shown anddescribed as embodied in a container intended for use as a tobaccohogshead. However, it is to be understood that the present invention isnot intended to be limited to this type of container but is applicableas Well to any other type of container where the features of the presentinvention would be of advantage.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIGURES l, 2 in particular, thereis shown in FIGURE 1 a paper tube 11 which is employed in theconstruction of the container of the invention. In the preferredembodiment, the paper tube 11 is of a conventional multi-ply spirallywound paper construction for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. Thetube 11 contains helical seams 12 defined by the adjacent side edges ofthe paper strips employed in the spiral winding of the tube.

In accordance with the invention, a pair of paper tubes 11 which havebeen cut to an appropriate length are collapsed or folded longitudinallyto form a pair of substantially identical half-sections 13, 14 which aresemi-circular in cross-section as shown in FIGURE 2.

The tubes 11 may be folded or collapsed in the manner disclosed in U.S.Patent No. 2,679,989, issued June 1, 1954, to Charles K. Dunlap forTextile Bobbin and Method of Forming Same. In this method a cylindricaltube is placed in a cavity in a die block in line with a cooperatingpunch and the punch is advanced into the cavity to collapse or fold thetube into a semi-circular cross-section such as the containerhalf-sections 13, 14 of the present invention. In the instantapplication, the pressure of the punch may be varied as desired tocompress the Walls of the tubes in addition to folding the tubes toincrease the density and thus strengthen the container Walls. Thehalfsection 13 is therefore provided with overlying inner and outerwalls 16, 17 and half-section 14 is provided with overlying inner andouter walls 18, 19.

Although the paper tubes 11 may be convolutely wound in the conventionalmanner, a spirally wound tube is preferably employed as the folding ofthe tube positions the spiral seams on the inner wall 16 of thehalf-section 13 in an oppositely inclined direction from the spiralseams on the outer Wall 17 so that these inner and outer wall seamscriss-cross and reinforce each other. The same is also true of thehalf-section 14.

It should be noted that the exposed surface of the inner walls 16, 18 ofthe half-sections 13, 14 respectively were actually parts of the outersurface of the tube 11 prior to folding. Thu the outer surface of thetube 11 can be treated when winding the tube to provide a suitable innersurface on the container for contact with the contents of a filledcontainer.

The complementary half-sections 13, 14 of FIGURE 2 are thus arranged tobe positioned together to form a cylindrical tubular body for thecontainer of the invention as shown in FIGURE 3. To this end,the foldedvertically extending side edges 13a, 13b of half-section 13 arepositioned in abutting relationship with the folded vertically extendingside edges 14a, 14b respectively of half-section 14 as shown in FIGURE 3to form a tubular body designated generally in FIGURE 3 by the numeral21. The

tubular body 21 is therefore provided with an interior 22 and is open ateach end.

Means are provided for connecting the two half-sections 13, 14 togetherto secure the tubular body 21 in assembled condition. In the embodimentof FIGURE 3 a plurality of pairs of connecting elements 23, 24 are shownpositioned across the abutting side edges 13a, 14a with one of theelements secured to one of the half-sections and the other element tothe other half section. As shown in FIGURE 3, the pairs of elements 23,24 are hinges which are spaced vertically along the abutting side edgeswith element 23 secured to half-section 13 and element 24 tohalf-section 14 by suitable means such as rivets 26 or the like as shownbest in FIGURE 4. Similar pairs of elements 23, 24 are arranged in asimilar manner across the abutting side edges 13b, 14b which are notshown in FIGURE 3. Means are provided for securing the elements 23, 24together which in the specific embodiment comprises a removable hingepin 27.

The container of FIGURE 3 includes a bottom closure retaining meanssecured to the tubular body 21 and a bottom closure such a a wooden discwhich is positioned within the bottom end of the container as describedhereinafter with respect to the embodiment of FIGURES 9-11. Afterfilling the container of FIGURE 3 with tobacco or the like, a topclosure is positioned in the top open end of the container and heldtherein by top closure retaining means. In the container shown in FIGURE3 the top closure retaining means comprise semi-circular half-rings 28,29 which are secured by suitable means to the halfsections 13, 14respectively adjacent their upper ends. In the assembled relationship ofFIGURE 3, the half-rings 28, 23 produce an annular retaining member orring which when the closure disc is inserted thereunder prevent theclosure from moving out of the container end under the pressure of thetobacco packed within the hogshead or container.

Referring now to FIGURE-S 5, 6, there is shown a modification of thecontainer of FIGURE 3 wherein container reinforcing means are providedin the form of a plurality of vertically spaced straps 31, 32 positionedon the half-sections 13, 14 respectively. As shown in FIG- URES 5,6 theterminal ends of the straps 31 are secured to the elements 23 adjacenteach of the half-section side edges 13a, 13b, preferably utilizing meanssuch as rivets 33 shown in FIGURE 6, rivets 33 being somewhat longerthan the rivets 26 of FIGURE 4 to accommodate the straps. The straps 32which extend around the halfsection 14 are similarly secured by means ofrivets 33 to the other elements 24 adjacent the half-section side edges14a, 14b.

In order to maintain the vertical spacing constant between the elements23, 24 and, therefore, enable randomly selected self-sections to beproperly joined in an accurate fit restraining means are secured to thehalf-sections 13, 14 and to the pairsof elements 23 24. In the specificembodiment illustrated, these restraining means comprise elongatedstrips 34, 35 of rigid material such as metal which are substantiallyU-shaped in cross-section as shown in FIGURE 6. Strips 34 are positionedaround the folded side edges 13a, 13b of half-section 13 and strips 35around the side edges 14a, 14b of the half-section 14. As shown best inFIGURE 6, these strips 34, 35 are secured to the half-sections 13, 14,the elements 23, 24, and the straps 31, 32 respectively by means of therivets 33.

With the use of the strips 34, 35, the substantial changes which occurin the paper half-sections 13, 14 as a result of changes in humidity areprevented from effecting the side edge portions of the half sections sothat the elements 23, 24 are maintained in the. proper spacing andproper connection of the half-sections is always obtained. It has beenfound in practice that while the side edges of the half-section arevirtually unchanged dimensionally during humidity changes as a result ofthe strips 34, 35, substantial changes in length will often occur in theportion of the half-sections remote from the strip which, of course, donot affect the fitting together of the half-sections.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown still another modification ofthe container of the invention wherein the half-sections 13, 14 areprovided with a modified means for connecting the half-sectionstogether. In the embodiment of FIGURE 7, the side edges of halfsection13 are cut away at uniformly spaced intervals so as to provide aplurality of spaced recesses 37 and tabs 38. Similarly the side edges ofhalf-section 14 are cut away to provide spaced recesses 39 and tabs 41with the recesses and tabs staggered on the opposed side edges so thatwhen the side edges of the half-sections are brought together tabs 38will nest within recesses 39 and tabs 41 will nest in recesses '37. Thedepth of the recesses 37, 39 is selected so that the verticallyextending passages 43, 44 formed by the folded edges of halfsections 13,14 respectively will be in vertical alignment when the side edges arebrought together.

In order to secure the abutting side edges together in this nestedrelationship, an elongated rod 45 is inserted through the verticallyaligned passages 43, 44 in tabs 38, 41 respectively on each pair ofopposed side edges. In FIGURE 7, one of the rods '45 has been positionedthrough one pair of nested side edges. Thus, the rods 45 hold thehalf-Sections 13, 14 together to form the container of the invention andone of the rods may be easily removed when desired as shown in FIG- URE7 to permit the container to be opened on one side.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, there is shown a container similar to thecontainer of FIGURE 7 which has been completely set up or assembled andwhich utilizes a novel retaining means for the top closure.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 911, semi-circular retaining rings 46, 47are secured by means such as nails 48 to the interior of thehalf-sections 13, 14 respectively at the bottom end and an end closureof disc 49 as positioned in supported relationship with the rings 46, 27as shown. This type of bottom end closure and retaining means ispreferably used on all of the illustrated embodiments of the containerof the invention. The container may then be filled with material such astobacco or the like.

At the top end of the container of FIGURES 9-11 and as shown best inFIGURE 11, retaining means are provided for a top closure or disc 51which comprise a plurality of spaced pairs of V-shaped resilient members52 formed of spring steel or the like. The members 52 are secured bysuitable means such as rivets 53 to the inner wall of the containeradjacent to the top end as shown. When the container has been filledwith tobacco or the like, the top end closure 51 is then pushed inwardlyto move the inwardly extending portions 52a of the members 52 towardsthe inner wall of the container and slightly compressing the material inthe container. The top disc 51 is moved past the members whereby theportions 52a are released so that they spring back to their expandedposition shown in FIGURE 11 and extend over the marginal edge portionsof the disc 51. The top closure disc 51 is thereby prevented from movingout of the top end of the container.

With the novel construction of this invention, there has been provided acontainer suitable for use as a tobacco hogshead which may be assembledand disassembled in a simple and easy manner and which has componentparts that may be shipped or stored in a nested or stacked relationshipwith a minimum waste of space and an attendant reduction in shipping andstorage costs. These component parts may be constructed from readilyavailable inexpensive materials including wound paper tubes so that acontainer of low initial cost results and a container of great strengthis obtained which resists rugged treatment occurring during filling,handling and the like. With the provision of novel means, selectedportions of the container are restrained against dimensional changescommon to paper under changing humidity conditions so that theinter-fitting component parts of the container may be selected at randomand a proper fit is always obtained.

While there has been described what is presently considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is theaim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modificationsas fall within the true sphere and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is. claimed is:

1, A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a pair ofcomplementary half-sections semi-circular in cross-section, each of saidhalf-sections comprising a longitudinally folded paper tube having apair of longitudinally extendingside edges, saidhalf-sections arrangedwith their longitudinally extending side edges in abutting relationshipto form a tubular body, means secured to each of said half-sections forconnecting said half-sections in said tubular bodyforming relationship,and a closure member positioned in at least one end of said; tubularbody.

2. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a pair ofcomplementary half-sections semi-circular in cross-section, each of saidhalf-sections comprising a longitudinally folded spirally wound papertube having a pair of longitudinally extending side edges with thespiral winding on the overlying portions of each, of said half-sectionsextending in oppositely inclined directions to reinforce saidhalf-section, said half-sections arranged with their longitudinallyextending side edges in abutting relationship to form a tubular body,means secured to each of said half-sections for connecting saidhalf-sections in said tubular body forming relationship, and a closuremember positioned in at least one end of said tubular body.

3. A tubular body for a collapsible container comprising, incombination, a pair of complementary half-sections semi-circular incross-section, each of said half-sections comprising a longitudinallyfolded paper tube having a pair of longitudinally extending side edges,said half-sections arranged with their longitudinally extending sideedges in abutting relationship to form said tubular body, and meanssecured to each of said half-sections for connecting said half-sectionsin said tubular body forming relationship.

4. A tubular body in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of saidhalf-sections comprises a longitudinally folded spirally wound papertube with the spiral Winding on the overlying portions of each of saidhalf-sections extending in oppositely inclined directions to reinforcesaid halfsection.

5. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a pair ofcomplementary half-sections semi-circular in cross-section, each of saidhalf-sections comprising a longitudinally folded paper tube having apair of longitudinally extending side edges, said half-sections arrangedwith their longitudinally extending side edges in abutting relationshipto form a tubular body, means secured to each of said half-sections forconnecting said half-sections in said tubular body forming relationship,means secured to each of said half-sections adjacent said side edges andto said connecting means for restraining said side edges againstdimensional change and thereby prevent misalignment of said connectingmeans, and a closure member positioned in at least one end of saidtubular body.

6. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a pair ofcomplementary half-sections semi-circular in cross-section, each of saidhalf-sections comprising a longitudinally folded paper tube having apair of longitudinally extending side edges, said half-sections arrangedwith their longitudinally extending side edges in abutting relationshipto form a tubular body, a plurality of vertically spaced pairs ofconnecting elements mounted across said abutting side edges forconnecting said half-sections in said tubular body forming relationship,said pairs of connecting elements having one element mounted on one ofsaid halfsections and the other element mounted on the other of saidhalf-sections, and means for releasably securing the elements of eachpair together, and a closure member positioned in at least one end ofsaid tubular body.

7. A collapsible container in accordance with claim 6 including aplurality of vertically spaced reinforcing straps extending around theouter wall of each of said half-sections and terminating at said sideedges, said reinforcing straps secured at their terminal ends to one ofsaid pair of connecting elements at each of said side edges.

8. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a pair ofcomplementary half-sections semi-circular in cross-section, each of saidhalf-sections comprising a longitudinally folded paper tube having apair oflongitudinally extending side edges, said half-sections arrangedwith their longitudinally extending side edges in abutting relationshipto form a tubular body, a plurality of vertically spaced pairs ofconnecting elements mounted across said abutting edges for connectingsaid half-sections in' said tubular body forming relationship, saidpairs of connecting elements having one element mounted on one of saidhalf-sections and the other element mounted on the other of saidhalf-sections, and means for releasably securing elements of each ofsaid pairs together, a strip of rigid material extending along each ofsaid longitudinally extending side edges and secured to said elementsalong the respective side edge to thereby restrain said side edgesagainst dimensional changes and maintain the vertical spacing betweensaid elements, a plurality of vertically spaced reinforcing strapsextending around the outer wall of each of said half-sections andterminating at said side edges, said reinforcing straps secured at theirterminal ends to one of said pair of connecting elements at each of saidside edges, and a closure member positioned in at least one end of saidtubular body.

9. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a pair ofcomplementary half-sections semi-circular in cross section, each of saidhalf-sections comprising a longitudinally folded paper tube having apair of longitudinally extending side edges, each of said longitudinallyextending side edges havinga centrally arranged passage formed by saidfolded tube and a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses formedtherein to provide alternating recesses and tabs along said side edges,said half-sections having said alternating recesses and tabs arranged instaggering relationship along corresponding side edges and arrangedtogether With said recesses and tabs in corresponding side edges innested relationship with said edge passages in vertical alignment toform a tubular body, an elongated rod member extending verticallythrough said aligned longitudinally extending edge passages to retainsaid side edges in said nested relationship, and a closure memberpositioned in at least one end of said tubular body.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,176,736 Corkell Mar. 28, 1916 7 1,263,646 Crockett Apr. 23, 19181,527,300 Haerther Feb. 24, 1925 1,576,834 Larsen Mar. 16, 19262,464,131 Guyer Mar. 8, 1949 2,502,504 Botner et al Apr. 4, 1950'2,554,357 Bell May 22, 1951 2,987,210 McConnell June 6, 196-1

